Giving like God

TODAY'S READING: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Have you ever noticed that no sermon will change the mood of a Sunday morning crowd more than a sermon on giving? People seem to get really nervous when you begin to talk about their money with relation to God. Why is that?
My guess is that for many of us, money is one thing we are not willing to give up to God. I mean really give up. Sure, most of us give at church. Some of us may even give at least ten percent. But how many of us are willing to acknowledge that all 100% belongs to God? How many of us are willing to consider God's will in every spending decision we make?
I will be the first to admit that I struggle with that. It is hard to think about God sometimes where we buy groceries, clothes, or some other item.
But the reality is that everything we have is a gift from God. And we should follow the example of God when it comes to using what we have been blessed with.
When God asks us to give, He is simply asking us to come along side Him and join what He is already doing.
God gives life every day when a child is born.
God gives warmth every morning when the sun rises.
God gives hope every day when someone finds Jesus.
God gives peace every day when people seek Him in prayer.
God gives love every day when someone ministers in His name.
God invites us to join Him every day in this adventure of giving of ourselves. As a matter of fact, He set the bar pretty high when He was willing to give His only Son. But giving for us is so much more than simply writing a check or putting a few dollars in a plate. It requires us to put our complete being in the contribution plate. Not literally, but in terms of the way we live life. It calls us to consider how the money we spend on Tuesday impacts the kingdom just as much as the money we put in the plate on Sunday morning. It asks us to think about how every penny we spend fits into the reign of God in this world.
Giving is not a payoff to please God, it is an outpouring of a heart that is already giving far more to the work of God. It is just a sample of the offering that our whole life is meant to be.

shine!
Jason